ECHL Reading Royals

Royals Smacked By Jackals, 6-3

Published on March 14, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL (31-27-1-366, 2nd East Division), affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, were defeated by the Elmira Jackals (34-21-4-274, 1st East Division), 6-3, at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Royals fell behind early on two power play goals by the Jackals and were unable to muster a credible comeback effort, as the Jackals won for the fourth straight time in the season series against Reading. Goaltender Matt Dalton (loss, 18-19-0-2; 31/36, 1 eng) dropped to 4-7-0-0 in eleven starts against Elmira this year. Elmira's Andy Chiodo (win, 6-3-1-0; 29/32) remained perfect against Reading this year (3-0-0-0; 29/32). Reading scored a power play goal in the second period to get on the board (1-6). Elmira scored on their first two power play chances of the night, including a five-on-three skater advantage in the relatively early stages of the game (2-7).

After a spirited and physical start, the Jackals struck 6:19 into the game after a roughing penalty was assessed on Rob Slaney at the 5:02 mark of the first. Tyler Donati stepped to the middle of the ice and ripped a snap shot on goal. Dalton made a difficult stop but the rebound fell to the top of the crease where Olivier Proulx, who had position at the top of the crease, punched it in for his twenty-third of the season. The Royals penalty problems continued shortly thereafter, as the team went two skaters down after a roughing minor at Labelle (7:02) and a slashing minor on Slaney (8:24). Thirty-three seconds into the five-on-three, Yannick Tifu slid a perfect back-door feed from the right side of the Royals' net to a waiting Justin Donati on the left wing side. Donati ripped it home for his thirty-fifth of the year.

The Royals got on the board 5:16 into the second period with a power play goal of their own. Stefano Giliati controlled on the right wing side and sent a pass through the box to the left circle where Aaron Brocklehurst had slid down off the left wing point. Brocklehurst continued the tic-tac-toe by quickly feeding Andrew Sarauer at the right side of the goal for an easy back-door tap in and his nineteenth goal of the year. Elmira regained the two goal lead (3-1) at the 12:54 mark of the second when Brendan Connelly broke down the right wing side. Scott Langdon was stride-for-stride with Connelly but Connelly's shot out of the right circle ricocheted off Langdon's skate and fluttered over the right shoulder of Dalton and into the net for his eleventh of the year.

The Jackals took a three goal lead 3:59 into the third period, when Matt Lowry stole in the neutral zone and charged into the Royals' end on the right wing side. Lowry threw a perfect pass through the center of the ice to Keegan Dansereau who ripped a one-timer on the fly that beat Dalton low to the stick side for his thirteenth of the year. Reading got a glimpse of hope at the 7:43 mark of the third when Aaron Brocklehurst got his own rebound on a chance from in tight on the Elmira net. Brocklehurst's second bid beat Chiodo on the short side for his twelfth goal of the year.

Reading fell behind by three for the second time in the game at the 11:08 mark of the third when one of several neutral zone turnovers resulted in a rush for Brennan Turner, who beat Dalton high to the stick side for his sixth of the season. The Royals got another glimpse of hope while playing short-handed when Steven Kaunisto scored his first pro goal after throwing a knuckler from the high slot that dipped under Chiodo's catching hand at the 14:31 mark of the second. The Royals pressed at that point and got a six-on-four skating advantage with the goaltender pulled when the team was awarded a power play. But Reading was unable to capitalize, as Elmira's Wes Cunningham flipped a 120 foot backhand that found the empty net for his seventh of the season to ice this one with thirty seconds remaining in regulation.

The Royals return to action on Thursday (March 18, 2010 @ 7:05 pm) when the Charlotte Checkers visit the Sovereign Center for the final time this year-at least during the regular season. The Royals game night broadcast on the Royals Radio Network presented by Transmissions by Arbogast will begin at 6:35 pm.

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